Panel spacer of dish washer, and dish washer using the same

Abstract

A panel spacer and a dishwasher using the panel spacer are provided. The dishwasher has a door and a control panel located a predetermined distance from the door. The panel spacer includes a spacer cover installed between the door and the control panel, and at least one spacer body coupled to the spacer cover. The spacer body fills a gap between the door and the control panel together with the spacer cover.

1. A dishwasher having a door and a control panel located a predetermined distance from the door, the dishwasher comprising:
 a spacer cover installed between the door and the control panel; 
 at least one spacer body coupled to the spacer cover for filling a gap between the door and the control panel together with the spacer cover; and 
 an elastic member coupled between the spacer cover and the spacer body and/or between two spacer bodies, the elastic member for pressing against the spacer cover and/or one of the two spacer bodies, 
 wherein the spacer cover includes a flat upper plate and a lower plate spaced a predetermined distance below the upper plate, and at least one door hook, wherein the at least one door hook is formed at a rear of the spacer cover for coupling the spacer cover to the door, and 
 wherein the spacer cover is coupled at the door, after the spacer body is coupled to the lower plate of the spacer cover, and wherein the upper plate defines an upper surface of the door. 
 
     
     
       2. The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer body includes a through-hole formed in a top surface thereof for a portion of the elastic member to pass through. 
     
     
       3. The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer body includes a retaining hook formed thereon for hooking the elastic member. 
     
     
       4. The dishwasher according to  claim 3 , wherein the retaining hook extends a predetermined distance downward and has a lower end thereof hooking inwards. 
     
     
       5. The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the elastic member includes:
 a body; 
 a flexible arm extending from the body and having elasticity; and 
 an inserting knob protruding a predetermined height from the flexible arm. 
 
     
     
       6. The dishwasher according to  claim 5 , wherein the flexible arm includes a periphery that is cut a predetermined distance from the body for imparting the elasticity to the flexible arm. 
     
     
       7. The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer cover includes a connector receptacle formed in the lower plate thereof for coupling with the spacer body, and a hook formed at the rear of the upper plate thereof for coupling with the door. 
     
     
       8. The dishwasher according to  claim 7 , wherein the spacer body includes an upper plate and lower plate spaced below the upper plate,
 wherein the spacer body includes a connector receptacle formed in the lower plate thereof for coupling with another spacer body, and a connector protruding from the upper plate thereof for coupling with the connector receptacle of the spacer cover or the another spacer body. 
 
     
     
       9. The dishwasher according to  claim 8 , wherein the connector has a vertical portion passing through the connector receptacle and a horizontal portion extending from the vertical portion and catching on the connector receptacle. 
     
     
       10. The dishwasher according to  claim 1 , wherein the spacer body includes a spacer cover seat formed thereon for seating a lower portion of the spacer cover.